Communication Matters

Creating resilient relationships and families.

Relationships
Why Can’t People Understand Each Other?

Dawn O. Braithwaite Ph.D. on April 2, 2026

How do what seem like clear and simple messages lead to misunderstandings in close relationships? How can we communicate to create understanding with those we care about?

How do what seem like clear and simple messages lead to misunderstandings in close relationships? How can we communicate to create understanding with those we care about?

Family Dynamics
Adapting and Creating Family Rituals

Dawn O. Braithwaite Ph.D. on December 16, 2025

Are some of your family’s traditions and routines no longer relevant or workable? Take steps to adapt or create new rituals that will increase participation and enjoyment.

Are some of your family’s traditions and routines no longer relevant or workable? Take steps to adapt or create new rituals that will increase participation and enjoyment.

Identity
Communicating Credibility

Dawn O. Braithwaite Ph.D. on October 29, 2025

When we believe we are credible in a specific situation or relationship, it's frustrating to find that others do not think we are. What is credibility, and how is it communicated?

When we believe we are credible in a specific situation or relationship, it's frustrating to find that others do not think we are. What is credibility, and how is it communicated?

Social Life
How and When to Offer Help

Dawn O. Braithwaite Ph.D. on July 2, 2024

Providing help can be positive or negative for the person receiving help as well as the helper. Here are practical communication strategies to consider before offering help.

Providing help can be positive or negative for the person receiving help as well as the helper. Here are practical communication strategies to consider before offering help.

Relationships
Love Actually?

Dawn O. Braithwaite Ph.D. on February 12, 2024

If you think of love as only an emotion, you are missing out. It is in the actions and vulnerability of giving to another that we find ourselves.

If you think of love as only an emotion, you are missing out. It is in the actions and vulnerability of giving to another that we find ourselves.

Parenting
Parenting Daughters in the Age of Social Media

Dawn O. Braithwaite Ph.D. on September 26, 2023

Social media use is especially important, and potentially harmful, for daughters. How do parents create successful guidelines and functional communication?

Social media use is especially important, and potentially harmful, for daughters. How do parents create successful guidelines and functional communication?

Relationships
Think You Are Having a Conflict With Someone?

Dawn O. Braithwaite Ph.D. on August 3, 2023

Quite often, people mistakenly believe they are engaged in a conflict when they are not. Here are two characteristics of a conflict that must be in place for a conflict to exist.

Quite often, people mistakenly believe they are engaged in a conflict when they are not. Here are two characteristics of a conflict that must be in place for a conflict to exist.

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Magazine
March 2026 magazine cover
March 2026
The Friend Effect: 23 Surprising Ways Other People Shape You

Having friends protects you in multiple ways, from slowing cellular aging to deterring bullies to bolstering your self-esteem.

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Tests
Self Tests
Self Tests

Self Tests are all about you. Are you outgoing or introverted? Are you a narcissist? Does perfectionism hold you back? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Psychology Today.

Self Assessments
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